3 reasons to try a tiny slice of Raspberry Pi

a.      The device does not have wireless built-in, so if you wish to use it wirelessly, you will need to purchase a compatible USB wireless card. The Raspberry will boot off the SD card and start downloading and continuing the installation, with no user intervention.   Once you have prepared your SD card from your laptop simply plug the SD card back into your Raspberry Pi and make sure you have the unit connected via the network jack to your internet connection (wireless router), and then connect a monitor to the HDMI port.  The single board device does require a computer for initial setup, as it has no preloaded software, cables, or SD card. The unit is 4.5 inches long by 2.25 inches tall. View the list »
Raspberry Pi is a single board computer with multiple uses.

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By Steve Randel, Web 2.0 Guest Blogger

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Developed in 2009 by a Great Brittan non-profit, the single computer board Raspberry served as an easy to decipher learning device. Today, it’s one of the smallest and cheapest gadgets with real computer capabilities. Here’s three reasons to taste Raspberry Pi:

  1. Price: The $35.00 Raspberry Pi is a micro-computer process that is powerful and versatile.
  2. Size: Measuring only 3.5 by 2.5 inches, the unit can be hidden just about anywhere.
  3. Uses: While there are multiple uses for this delicious little device, try using it as a tempting media player

The ingenious Raspberry Pi uses an SD card and is powered by a micro USB cord (same as most cell phone chargers). The device has two USB ports, an HDMI output, an RJ45 network port, audio out, and RCA video output.

The Raspberry Pi can be used as a media player via open XMBC source software. You can play videos from the internet or use as a network share device. Those with a hulu plus subscription or Amazon Prime membership will benefit as the device can stream on demand content. (Additional free add-ons make this possible).

Follow these steps to use as a media player.

  1. The single board device does require a computer for initial setup, as it has no preloaded software, cables, or SD card. Setup of the software on the device is straight forward using a windows installation utility found at http://www.raspbmc.com/download. Simply download the windows utility, insert your SD card and the utility will prepare your SD card.
  2. Once you have prepared your SD card from your laptop simply plug the SD card back into your Raspberry Pi and make sure you have the unit connected via the network jack to your internet connection (wireless router), and then connect a monitor to the HDMI port. The device does not have wireless built-in, so if you wish to use it wirelessly, you will need to purchase a compatible USB wireless card.
  3. The Raspberry will boot off the SD card and start downloading and continuing the installation, with no user intervention.
  4. Once complete you will be presented with a media center screen. The device can use a wireless mouse to control, or you can download the official XMBC app for android or IOS and control the device from your cell phone.

Now you’re ready to enjoy a tasty but tiny slice of Raspberry Pi! Feel free to share with Examiner.com readers other Raspberry Pi uses.

View the list
  • The single board device does require a computer for initial setup, as it has no preloaded software, cables, or SD card. The unit is 4.5 inches long by 2.25 inches tall.
  • Once you have prepared your SD card from your laptop simply plug the SD card back into your Raspberry Pi and make sure you have the unit connected via the network jack to your internet connection (wireless router), and then connect a monitor to the HDMI port. 
  • a.      The device does not have wireless built-in, so if you wish to use it wirelessly, you will need to purchase a compatible USB wireless card. The Raspberry will boot off the SD card and start downloading and continuing the installation, with no user intervention.   
  • The ingenious Raspberry Pi uses an SD card and is powered by a micro USB cord (same as most cell phone chargers).  The device has two USB ports, an HDMI output, an RJ45 network port, audio out, and RCA video output.  
  • The Raspberry Pi can be used as a media player via open XMBC source software. You can play videos from the internet or use as a network share device. Those with a hulu plus subscription or Amazon Prime membership will benefit as the device can stream on demand content. (Additional free add-ons make this possible).  
  • a.      Once complete you will be presented with a media center screen.  The device can use a wireless mouse to control, or you can download the official XMBC app for android or IOS and control the device from your cell phone.   
View the list

, Detroit Web 2.0 Examiner

"Dr. Detroit," is Erik Bean, social media director and vice president of operations at Deadline Communications (sm), a multimedia Web production company serving industry and education. He also teaches at Wayne State University, University of Phoenix, Davenport University, and the Art Institute of...

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